A layer of noxious haze blanketed the Thai capital on Thursday (Feb 15), prompting city authorities to instruct Bangkok city employees to work from home to avoid harmful air pollution. The move comes as levels of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles, which can enter the bloodstream, soared to more than 15 times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline, according to IQAir, ranking Bangkok among the 10 most polluted cities in the world on Thursday morning.
Late Wednesday, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that he would require all city employees to work from home on Thursday and Friday, citing concerns over the health impacts of the pollution. He released a statement requesting cooperation from the BMA network, which includes about 151 companies and organizations from both the government offices and the private sector. He also noted that over 60,000 people would be affected.
Chadchart also pointed out that calm weather conditions would persist, causing at least 20 of Bangkok’s 50 districts to experience unhealthy levels of PM2.5 particles.
Thailand frequently grapples with deteriorating air quality in the early months of the year, as a result of a combination of factors including smoke from farmers burning stubble in the fields, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust fumes. Last year, both Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai frequently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world on several days.
For many residents of Bangkok, however, working from home remains a challenge. Jarukit Singkomron, a 57-year-old motorcycle taxi driver on one of the capital’s busiest streets, continued to work despite suffering from allergic reactions to the pollution.